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Aggregate Stability: an Indicator of Quality and Resistivity of Arable Soil

M. N. A. Siddique
Soil Resource Development Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, District Office, Pabna, Bangladesh.

J. Sultana
Department of Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

M. R. Abdullah
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soil aggregate stability is a key indicator of soil quality. Changes in aggregate stability may serve as early indicators of recovery or degradation of soils. We have applied the laboratory-based aggregate fractions method where fine and coarse soil aggregates are fixed by a set of sieves for two types of soil to estimate aggregate stability. The co-efficient of vulnerability and mean weight diameter were calculated for each aggregate size fraction. Stability index (SI) and aggregate size distribution were determined to conclude soil erodibility and compaction. The mean weighted diameter (MWD) of the Nurkerke and Hesteert soil after wet sieving is 2.03 mm and 1.56 mm respectively. The instability index of the Nurkerke soil is 2.41 and of Hesteert soil is 2.89. The aggregate stability index of the Nukerke is 0.41 and Hesteert soil is 0.35. The coefficient of vulnerability (Kv) of Nukerke soil is 2.18 while the Hesteert has 2.81; hence the Nukerke soil seems more stable than the Hesteert soil of Belgium. Results revealed that the Nukerke soil is less vulnerable for erodibility and compaction than the Hesteert soil under investigation.

Keywords: Aggregate size distribution; Aggregate stability; Sieve and soil erodibility.

Location: Soil Resource Development Institute

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil quality

Objectives:

To estimate erodibility and soil compaction of two different soils of Nukerke and Heestret, Gent, Belgium.

Methodology:

The aggregate stability was determined from spatially collected arable land topsoil (0-30 cm) samples of two different soils, namely Nukerke and Heestret soil, Gent, Belgium, during the year 2010 by using adapted aggregate fractions method through a set of sieves. 250 grams of aggregates less than 8mm were put on a set of sieves of the following sizes: 4.76, 2.83, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.3 mm respectively. A closed bottom was put underneath the sieves. The set of sieves was then gently shaken five times by hand to obtain aggregates of different diameters. For the fixed aggregate fraction method, the distribution is 40, 32, and 28 grams for aggregate size between 8 – 4.76, 4.76 – 2.83 and 2.83 -2 mm respectively for Belgian soils. The aggregates were moistened to field capacity by large drops falling from a height of about 50 cm. The number of drops to be added to each sample was determined by catching 30 drops in a nickel cup and weighing them. The average weight of the drop was calculated and the number of drops was determined to moisten the soil to field capacity. The nickel cups with different aggregate size fractions were placed on the incubator for 24 hours (20°C and 98 -100% relative humidity). After incubation, each aggregate size fraction was placed on its corresponding sieve for the wet sieving. The bottom was not closed in this procedure. The sieves were then gently shaken up and down underwater at a constant speed for 5 minutes. After sieving the wet aggregates remaining on each sieve were removed by washing them into nickel cups. The cups were then placed on a heating plate to evaporate the remaining water. After drying each aggregate size fraction is weighed again to determine the dry mass.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition - 1(2): 1-7, 2017

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.9734/AJSSPN/2017/34829

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The aggregate stability is very important for soil compaction and soil erodibility. However, tillage, texture, organic matter content, mechanical stress, sesquioxides may play important role in the aggregate stability of arable soils. The Nukerke soil is less vulnerable for erodibility and compaction than the Hesteert as evidenced from findings of the study based on stability index. In essence, increasing organic matter and conservative management of land is very important to measure to increase the aggregate stability of arable soil.

Knowledge Management: Journal